Congratulations to Liz King and Tim Ferris

The ESU warmly congratulates Liz King and Tim Ferris, the joint runners-up for the 2022 Major Project Grant.

Their project conducted research towards a new stage play about a Morris-dancing journey taken in 1599 by Shakespearean comic actor, William Kemp. With support from the ESU grant, they jointly developed the concept and story for this new play.

The primary source for our knowledge of Kemp's feat is his own telling of the nine-day journey from London to Norwich (Kemps nine daies wonder). Ms King and Mr Ferris were able to explore other aspects of Kemp's achievements during a trip to England that was funded in part by this Grant. 

Mr Ferris retraced parts of Will Kemp's journey (including along Will Kemp Way in Norwich, as illustrated in the image above) and read widely about Kemp's life and times. He also learned about Morris dancing traditions in England. His resulting one-act play, Arrant Knave, was presented at ESU House (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on 3 November 2023. 

This page was created on 1 January 2025.